Word Origin & History

insular 1611, "of or pertaining to an island," from L.L. insularis, from L. insula "island" (see isle). Metaphoric sense "narrow, prejudiced" is 1775, from notion of being cut off from intercourse with other nations, probably with ref. to the situation of Great Britain.

Example Sentences for insular

That is to say, the Napoleonic wars had made Europe unpleasant, England was sensibly glad to be insular.

When shall I see a memoir on Insular floras, and on the Pacific?

Of the taxes accruing to the Insular Treasury under the above law, 10 per cent.

That made him angry, and he said that insular envy made me unresponsive.

If only this insular confidence that for Britons there is no defeat be not too rudely broken!

Besides, wasn't it all rather sudden, from an insular point of view?

The Manchester doctrine was the logical outcome of England's insular position and her driving individualistic manufactures.

Practice as an advocate, and push your way to insular preferment?

When it comes to fish, it is allowed that we are not an insular people for nothing.

Yet that system—the English or insular, I call it—has done, as it will do, marvels.